- Matthew 22:19-21
It seems that every time Jesus needs money, he doesn't have any (that's something we can identify with).
The Pharisees, however, did have money. Although they preach that a good Jewish person should no be supporting the pagan Roman occupation of their land by paying taxes or using Roman money, they themselves used Roman money, traveled the road the Romans built and maintained, and benefited from the Roman system of commerce.
God has not given us a system of commerce, or roads, or an economic system. The gifts God has lavished upon us are far superior to any of that.
God gives us everything we have. Everything we own comes from God, including the gift of life.
And what does God want from us? To be just as generous toward others, to imitate God in using all of those gifts. Parents who raise their children to be loving, forgiving, and patient, don't expect to be paid back for that. They want their children to use those gifts in the way they were intended to be used. God expects the same form us.
Great gifts have been lavished upon us. Do we live up to the great gifts we've been given by God?
- Little Burgundy Book, Diocese of Saginaw